Apparatus for administering oxygen



Oct. 31, 1933. r. A. TAYLOR APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING OXYGEN Filed Sept. 2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l T A TAY LO gfxumflot mm F3 8PM Oct. 31, 1933. TAYLOR 1,932,757

APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING OXYGEN Filed Sept. 2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 31, 1933:

UNlTED STATES PATENT "OFFICE,

APPARATUS FOR ADlVHNISTERING OXYGEN Thaddeus A. Taylor, Luikin, Tex.

Application September 2, 1930. Serial No. 479,150

3 Claims. (01. 128185) The invention relates to an improvement in the method and apparatus for administering oxygen.

It is understood that various types of devices have been used heretofore which involve the adninistration of oxygen but the principal difficulty with such devices is the inconvenience which is caused to the person due to either excessive heat or moisture. It is one of the objects of this invention to devise a simple and economical apparatus which may be used with the administration of oxygen.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism by which the temperature beneath the administration tent may be accurately controlled.

it is also an object of the invention to devise a novel cabinet for circulating and cooling the oxygen so that the patient may be comfortable beneath the tent.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cabinet whereby the degree of cooling may be accurately controlled in accordance with the room temperatures.

A still further object of the invention is to control the degree of humidity beneath the tent and in the control box.

It is also an object or the invention to provide a simplified device which may be used to cool the oxygen before it is transferred to the tent.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a means of removing the carbon dioxide from the tent so that its presence will not inconvenience the patient.

It is also an object to administer the oxygen by an improved and simplified method.

Gther and further objects of the invention will be r adily apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. l is a front elevation of one form of control box which may be used for the administration of oxygen.

Fig. 2 is a broken end view showing the arrangement of the control dampers.

Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal view of the box shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken in the line 4 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View showing the general outline of the apparatus which may be used in practicing the invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View of a modified form of box which may be used in connection with the apparatus of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

The diagrammatic view of Fig. 5 illustrates a bed 2 which is adapted to contain a patient.

Adjacentthe bed a suitable standard 3 may be placed as a support for the improved control box 4. This box is arranged to receive a supply of oxygen from the tank 5 which is measured by the regulator 6. From'the box 4 the oxygen passes inside the tent .7 where it is inhaled.

, It is sometimes necessary to subject the patient to such confinement over a considerable period and naturally moisture is given off by the exhalation which moisture increases the humidity of the atmosphere beneath the tent. This moisture must necessarily be removed for the comfort of the patient who is confined for a con siderable period. It is also desirable to cool the atmosphere beneath the tent for the comfort of the patient.

The principal novelty in connection with the invention resides in the arrangement whereby the oxygen is transferred from the drum 5 to the tent '7 so that it may be inhaled by the patient. As seen in Fig. 4 the tube 10 enters the box ion the rearward lower side thereof. This box 4 comprises-the outer wall 11 and the inner wall 12. These walls are spaced apart to form oxygen circulating chambers which may be designated as the front chamber 13 and the rear chamber 14:. Within the wall 12 is the ice chamber 15 which is-adapted to contain a supply of cooling material such as ice, ice water or solidified carbon dioxide. This material may be placed in the chamberl5 by removing the cover 16'. A suitable drain 17 is arranged so that accumulation of water may be removed from the ice chamber 15.

In order that the flow of oxygen and air through the box may be suitably controlled, a 95.

lower damper 2 0 has been provided which is arrangedfor pivoting movement to either of the dotted line positions 21 or 22 which are shown in Fig. 4. .When the damper is moved to the position illustrated at 21, therear chamber 14 will be practically closed to prevent the passage of oxygen in the directionindicated by the arrow 23. l

The oxygen will therefore be deflected and caused to flow in the direction indicated by the. arrow 24 upwardly through the rear chamber 14. When the damper 20 is in the position shown at 22, the lower chamber will be open and permit a free flow of oxygen directly from the tube 10 through the opening 25. An upper damper 27 is also provided which is adapted to pivot so that the front chamber 13 may be closed when the damper lies in a horizontal position or the back chamber 14 may be closed when the damper is moved to a vertical position. With these dampers it seems apparent that the flow of oxygen may be controlled so that it will pass from the lower opening 25 from the upper opening 28 or so that it will flow in any desired amount from either one of the openings.

The principal object of controlling the flow of oxygen through the box is to transfer it to the tent 7 at the desired temperature. In passing through the various chambers in the box the oxygen comes in contact with the inner wall 12 which will be cooled by the contact of the cooling material in the chamber 15. Thus by ad justment of the dampers the degree of cooling may be readily controlled. As the patient breathes in the tent the temperature of the atmosphere will gradually increase. The heated air and oxygen will thus rise to the top of the tent and flow in through the opening 28 coming in contact with thechilled walls 12. is incoming mixture of air and oxygen will contain considerable moisture which will, or" course, be deposited upon the walls 12 as the air and oxygen are cooled.

In this manner the humidity of the atmosphere is greatly reduced and as the incoming air is passed through the chambers 13 and 14 it is also mixed with the fresh supply 01"" oxygen flowing in through the tube 10. This refreshed mixture is therefore cooled and dried and flows outwardly through the lower opening 25 into the tent so that'it may be inhaled by the patient. With this arrangement it seems obvious that a simple and economical apparatus has been pro- 7 vided because the flow of the atmosphere beneath the tent is caused by gravity due to the cooling action of the ice chamber inside of the box. By regulating the dampers 20 and 27, any desired amount of cooling and removal of moisture may be accomplished. Any moisture which accumulates inside of the box may be drawn oii by the passage 30. which connects to the lower wall of the box. A small lip 31 is provided on the lower front edge of thebox in order to prevent the escape of any accumulated moisture.

It is to be understood thatthe temperature which is to be maintained beneath the tent is independent of the room temperature in which the apparatus is operating and will be controlled depending upon atmospheric conditions. In event it is desired to use the maximum cooling efiect, the dampers 20 and 27 may'both be moved to horizontal positions so that there will be a free flow through the control box. vWith this arrangement however, the front chamber 13 will be closed off and a plurality of openings '32 have therefore been provided so that the atmosphere from the tent may circulate through this chamber. I

When a minimum amount of cooling is desired, the dampers 20 and 2'7 are moved to vertical position so that they close off three sides or" the cooling chamber and only permit circulation of the atmosphere through the front chamber 13. Fig. 2 shows the knobs 29 and the indicators 29' as connected with the dampers 20 and 27 so that they may be operated from outside the tent.

If these dampe s were closed tightly in vertical position the flow ofox'ygen to the tent' would be cut oil and accordingly a plurality of small openings 34 havebeen made in'the upper damper 27 so that the oxygen from the tube 10 may pass to the patient.

The tent 7 may be constructed in any desired manner but I have shown it suspended from the bracket 35 which bracket is pivoted at 36 to the box 4. Suitable stop members 37 are provided to limit the pivoting movement these brackets. The dotted line position of Fig. 5 illustrates diagrammatically how the tent may be raised to remove it from its position over the head and shoulders of the patient. A window 39 is provided in the tent so that the patient may be viewed to determine his condition.

In order that the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere beneath the tent will not become excessive, it seems obvious that the tent may be arranged about the portion of the bed so that there will be a slight opening between the folds of the tent such as at 46. The carbon dioxide being heavier than the oxygen or air which is in the tent will tend to sink by gravity to the lowermost position in the tent; The incoming oxygen also tends to incr ase the volume inside the tent and will thus drive some or" the gas adjacent he opening il) out of the tent.

When an opening such as i0 is provided, the carbon dioxide will therefore escape and not cause discomfort to the patient. The brackets 35 by their pivoted connection allow the instant raising of the tent to release all orpart of the L gases which are confined therein. Some carbon dioxide will also escape from the tent due to the fact that the tent is not air tight and that there is a temperature difierence bciween the inside and the outside of the tent which causes a constant filtration to occur through the tent.

The operation of .the device as fclicws: The patient will be placed in the bed and the tent over the head and shoulders as shown in Fig. 5. The handle 42 on the oxygen drum will then be manipulated so that the desired amount of oxygen will be passed into the control box a. The amount of oxygen being admitted is controlled by the regulator 6 which may be or" any desired type so that an indication of the amount of oxygen being passed into the control box can be determined. Ihe dampers 20 and 27 are then adjusted to obtain the desired degree or" cooling and circulation in the tent, it being understood that the circulation is controlled and i is desired the volume of circulation can be increased by adjustment oi the shutters or dampers. The amount of oxygen is independent of the circulation and the amount of circu obtainable can thus be adjusted to obtathe desired temperature, regardless of the oxygen content of the fluid being circulated. It follows without further explanation that the more the air circulates from the tent t rough the control box, the more moisture will be removed when the air comes in contact with the cooling ole-- ment orunit, so that the humid y in the tent is varied in accordance with the amount of cooling. A thermometer may be placed inside the tent in a position so that it may be viewed If, however, a lower temperature ation through the window 39 and the humidity in the tent may also be governed by the degree of cooling which is imparted to the circulating atmosphere beneath the tent. It is also intended that the oxygen, carbon dioxide or the moisture content in the atmosphere under the tent may be measured by suitable devices so that proper administration of the correct percentage 01". oxygen to accomplish satisfactory treatment of the particular ailment of the patient may be attained.

The particular advantage of the present apparatus resides in the fact that no motors, electric power or other means are necessary for its operation. It is to be understood, however, that a mechanical refrigerating element may be used in the cooling chamber 15 if desired. The flow of the atmosphere is accomplished by gravity and the cooling and the removal of the moisture are both accomplished by merely inserting a quantity of ice or other cooling substance in the chamber in the control box. My apparatus is therefore available in rural districts as well as in the larger cities. The present structure is of advantage as it does not interfere with treatment of the patient by other methods. Medicine may be given by slightly raising the side of the tent without interference with the oxygen treatment.

It is simple and economical in its operation as it is only necessary to maintain a supply of cooling material in the box and control the flow of oxygen by means of the regulator. A nurse or any other person may be very readily instructed how to manipulate the apparatus and carry on the operation which makes the device available in a great many instances where it would otherwise be impossible to utilize it.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a modified form of the apparatus which may be used when it is not desired to so accurately control the flow and temperature of the oxygen. For instance, when the apparatus is to be used in a climate where the patient is not subject to excessive temperatures, the simplified box will be of material advantage in that it may be made much smaller and does not require adjustment such as described in connection with the previous modification.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a box which has an innen wall 46 spaced inside thereof with suitable packing material 47 placed between the two walls. In this' manner a cooling chamber 48 is provided so that the oxygen inlet tube 49 may be arranged in the form of a coil 50 inside the chamber 48. In this modification the oxygen is conducted from the chamber 48 by the pipe 51 which is adapted to extend beneath the tent shown in Fig. 5. A cover 52 isv provided on the box so that the cooling substance may be placed in the chamber 48. There is no provision in this modification for removing the moisture from the atmosphere beneath the tent as it is only intended that this be used when the patient is to be confined beneath the tent for a short period of time or the device is to be used in a moderate climate where abnormal temperatures are not encountered.

It is to be understood that a considerable amount of air filters through the fabric of the tent 7 so that the oxygen which is fed in through the tube 10 will be mixed with this air so that the patient does not obtain a charge of pure oxygen. The amount of oxygen which is transmitted to the patient in a measure depends upon the ailment which is being treated and upon other conditions which will obviously vary and which must be considered by the operator of the apparatus.

Itis to be understood that any desired means may be employed to control the moisture content in the atmosphere as in some instances it may be found that the atmosphere from the tent passing in contact with the cooling chamber causes the removal of too much of the moisture so that it may be necessary to place additional packing upon the walls of the, ice chamber to eliminate condensation of moisture or suitable devices may be provided to introduce an additional flow of moisture or to recirculate that which is in the lower portion of the control box.

It is to be understood in the further development of the invention that various alterations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Having described the invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination an oxygen therapy apparatus comprising a mixing box, a connection on said box to support a tent, said connection being pivoted so that the tent may be raised or lowered, an entrance formed in the side of said box which is in direct communication with the tent for the entrance of the warmer fluids from the tent, an exit formed in the side of said box which is also in direct communication with said tent for the exit from said box of the cooled fluid into said tent, a shutter to control the size of each said entrance and said exit whereby the volume of circulation, the temperature and the humidity in the tent are controlled, a chamber within said mixing box into which the oxygen is discharged for mixing with the fluid administered to the patient, of a connection on the box for attachment of said tent, cooling means disposed in said box and spaced from the sides thereof to form a chamber between the walls of said box and said means, an oxygen inlet into said chamber, a plurality of passages from said chamber into said tent whereby the mixture of air and oxygen from said chamber may flow by convection into said tent and whereby the warmer mixture exhaled by the person being treated can rise and enter said box, and means to adjust the size of said passages to control the circulation, said cooling element be-' ing closed with respect to said chamber so that there can be no escape of fluid from said element to said chamber.

3. An oxygen therapy apparatus including a tent in which a mixture of oxygen and air is to be circulated, a circulation control box directly connected to and opening into said tent, a cooling element in said box to increase the specific gravity of the mixture entering the box so that such mixture will discharge from said box by convection, and adjustable means carried by said box to control the direction and volume of circulation from the tent into and out of said box.

THADDEUS A. TAYLOR. 

